Ketch to Cutter Conversion

[kennykroot]

Recently I've come across a Bruce Roberts Mauritius that has been converted to a cutter.

Is this sort of conversion common? Is it advisable? Isn't a hull designed for a particular rig and won't anything other than that rig cause problems or a loss of performance? Or is it the case that any issues this might cause would be completely undetectable for your average cruiser.

In the case of this particular boat the owner removed the mizzen and kept the main. This gives the boat a rather squat appearance since that main is rather short. If this conversion is done shouldn't a taller main mast be installed? And if so, how tall should it be?

[Steve Rust]

The position of the mast and center of effort of the sailplan are more important than hull shape. I think alot of these Roberts designs have a choice of rigs. Now there is more to it than chopping off the mizzen and calling it a cutter or a sloop. On a sloop the mast would be stepped a little further aft than a ketch and on a cutter even further. A true cutter has the mast stepped about midship and may even be a little further aft than that. The mast on a sloop or cutter would also be taller. It is fairly common to add a second forestay to a sloop while leaving the mast position the same, sometimes refered to as a double headsail sloop or a slutter. The building plans for the boat may show the other rig specifications or contact the designer for information reguarding this.

[Alan Wheeler]

Yes there are two sail plans. As Steve suggested, it isn't just a case of removing one mast and calling it whatever. It is very much a case of total design of the rig. Position of Mast, thus chain plate position, mast height, thus possible Ballast ratio and position and of course sail plan.